1extract something (from somebody/something)to remove or obtain a substance from something, for example by using an industrial or a chemical processa machine that extracts excess moisture from the airto extract essential oils from plants

2extract something (from somebody/something)to obtain information, money, etc., often by taking it from somebody who is unwilling to give itJournalists managed to extract all kinds of information about her private life.

3extract something (from somebody/something)to choose information, etc. from a book, a computer, etc. to be used for a particular purposeThis article is extracted from his new book.

5extract something (from somebody/something)(formal)to get a particular feeling or quality from a situationsynonymderiveThey are unlikely to extract much benefit from the trip.More Like ThisPronunciation changes by part of speechabuse,alternate,advocate,approximate,contract,converse,convict,decrease,delegate,discount,duplicate,estimate,export,extract,graduate,import,intimate,moderate,object,permit,present,protest,record,refund,refuse,subject,suspect,survey,torment,upgradeSee worksheet.

Word Originlate Middle English: from Latinextract-

‘drawn out’

, from the verb extrahere, from ex-

‘out’

+ trahere

‘draw’

.Extra examplesAnimals take in food and extract nutrients from it.I tried extracting the rusty nails with a claw hammer.The Egyptians used a primitive form of distillation to extract the essential oils from plants.They developed a machine that can extract harmful gases from the air.